davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17
CORRESPOND
Three-fourths Us. One-rourth.
FRosrRrRG. Mn. Ser. Z. 1887.


FRosTBURG, MD., Sert. 7, 1887.
To the MINING JOURNAL.
If, as Psychologists say, the human
system is three-fourths water my other
fourth must be q contradiction of the
theory, because it cannot get along
with the invisible supply of water we
have in this town. This other fourth
Of my system that is not water is doing
some of the awfulest yearning for
some refreshment from the three
fourths that is water, that l am not
having the fullest happiness that is
guaranteed to me by my fathers
constitution, whose centennial is about
being observed. Then l am insulted
by the amount of dust flung in my
eyes, on my clothes and in my house
that feel as though my citizenship
had been taken away by the coercion
of the Frostburg Water Works.
/ have been voter a long time
long enough to give me sufficient water
for my one-fourth, anyway, and l
don't see why an American citizen
should be compelled TO live in this
town with only 1 of his system
crying for water while there is enough
just up there in that mountain to sup
ply every parched tongue here, and
we could export as much more to Cum
berland and Homecoming, which would
give them abundance. We would then
insure domestic happiness as we'll as
dispense some missionary work among
the sanitary heather.
Why don't we pitch in and get that
water into our city, and not let it bab
BILE its existence away to the first
stanza of Tennyson's "Brook?" We
know it is there ; there is a crying need
for it and it would not take half the
time for us to bring it down here that
it took to bore in the "Narrows" for
nothing. How Is it that everybody
whines so about the "one-horse" sup
ply and no one is ready to hitch another
horse to that gushing stream that
would pour out its realistic fuidity
alike to all ? Here is want, an exist
ing wrong, in which everyone is di-
rectly concerned, which is not con
trolled by monopoly and why don't
we rise up and stay up until we show,
by getting an abundant supply Of
water, how we want things done for
the E?
To see some of US people going
around with an air, and bigger de-
sire to accept some public Office of
trust, place in which we could serve
the people, is disgusting, indeed, when
it is discovered that we are not able to
supply our homes with water, and that
five thousand people are depending
upon a rain-guage for their water.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17
"TEACHING WITHOUT BOOKS y

To the MINING JOURNAL.
A formal discussion of the subject of
oral teaching, in distinction from the
old-time methods of exclusive rote-
teaching, would of course be out of
place except in the columns of an ed
ucational journal. Nevertheless, in
view of the fact that the subject has
been alluded toin local print, it should,
in fairness, be said that the other side
has some claims to the thoughtful con-
sideration of that portion of the public
who care to read anything at all about
school matters.
In the first place, this so-called "new-
tangled" method is by no means in
digenous to Frostburg or even to Ale
gany county. 1t is in use at the pres
ent time, and has been for years, in
the public schools of many cities in
many States. Reports Of Boards of
Education substantiate this statement.
In certain grades oral instruction in
certain branches is required, being
laid down in the published scheme for
the years work.
For young children, whose senses
are all alert, but to whom the process
Of gaining knowledge through the
printed page is new and tedious one,
what could be more delightful than the
easy, familiar converse of teacher,
gifted with quick perception, SYM
pathy, tact and patienceP
Rote-teaching in the hands of COM
petent teacher may be made the means
of really enlightening and training
the child's mind, but it must be con-
ceded that it is liable to shameful
abuse, making it easy for an ignorant
or indolent instructor to conceal his
ignorance and shirk the labor of
special daily preparation for work in
the school-Ioom.
Who Of us cannot recall some of the
beauties of that old method of teach
ing "by the book ?" Take the geog-
raphy recitation, for example. John
Henry, who sits at the end of the
bench, is called up to "answer" the
first question teacher, meanwhile,
book IN hand, scanning the page for
the required "answer." But if John
Henry, fondly believing that the teach
er will begin as usual at the other end
of the bench has learned Shy heart'
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17

the tenth question only, Skipping as inn
material that which comes before, woe
is it to John Henry, for the teacher,
having by this time, got the answer
himself "by heart" Indignantly lowers
the book from before his face and
thunders "next!n ~ Then, when the
discounted John Henry sits down does
the next next boy, who has been sur.
reptitiously coming, behind his COM
panion's back, the answer from his
own book, arise and rattle off the ex-
pected words, while the gratified teach
er marks him 10 on the record. There
are huge "chunks of education" to
borrow the JOURNALS own fellcitous
phrase, daily absorbed by those eager
young minds!
Surely no man or woman who
stands, book in hand, before a class of
acute American school-children, can
command their respect or awaken a
lively interest in the subjects of
their lessons, like the bright teacher,
brimming over with the facts, illustra-
tions, suggestions, and clever devices
that he, or she, has cleaned from the
study Of many books, and from more
or less wide observation of men and
things in the world.
Doubtless lazy teacher aoiO shirk,
no matter what methods are in vogue.
A dull-brained teacher, incapable of
either feeling or arousing enthusiasm,
can hardly accomplish Successful
teaching" under any ''system" what
soever. A slavish dependence on "the
book" in the school-room, or habit
of independence of books in the teach
er's private study-either fault is
ruinous.
When so many modern school books
are merely "made to SELL" must the
teacher be placed under a ban if he
ventures to "add to or take from" the
words of the particular book ordered,
as though it were a veritable Veda?
Before pronouncing sweeping con-
demnation upon tile practice of oral
teaching, let us inquire whether the
rule that obtains in all professional
schools, viz: books for reference, but
lectures, or oral instruction in the
classroom, might not with some modi-
fications and within certain limits be
found very useful even in the element
ary instruction in our public schools
Is it not rather the teachers calling
than the textbook that should be ele-
waited to the plane of sacredness2 Do
we not rather want trained mind, act
ing upon undeveloped mind, than a
mere performance of responsive read
ing," without Esprit" on the one hand,
or understanding" on the other?
PFNETOpE
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17


some misunderstanding of the jour
NAILS drift in the matter of text
books. 1t seems to be held by our
correspondent that we have adyo-
Gated Ote-teaching," when, in fact,
all deliverances upon the subject in
these columns have been in the di-
rection Of happy combination of
textual and oral tuition.
1t has been the erc7usiUe,oeSs set up
in some quarters for the superior
value Of oral work over what has
been called with some exaggeration,
'rote-teaching" that we have crit
icised. 1t has been the divorce of
teacher and text that we have ques-
toned, and the "ostracism of the
book" we have condemned. These
because each is essential to the scheme
of educational training.
We do not think, therefore, that
comparisons of verbal and book
teaching are well founded. The
wheel is not more indispensable to
the wagon than the axle, and one
might as nationally argue the use
lessness Of either as urge the separa-
ton Of teacher and book on the
ground that the one is more effective
than the other.
The picture of "John Henry" and
the old field teacher is true to the
very life. 1t illustrates humbug,
however, that has survived "rOte-
teaching" and engrafted its versatil-
ity of expedients upon the modern
shortcut methods as we'll. Now, 9s
then, the book is the ultimate refuge
of the tyro and the invincibly ignor-
ant. Walking encyclopedias die,
but the book, under the perpetual
aeg5s of the cart preservative of all
arts"--the book lives, to become a
blessing-even to the ''next" peep
thief.
We are willing to grant that oral
teaching under the province of COM
petent, expert tutors, is co-work-
ing. adjunct Of the book Of vast
power and effect. We might also
be willing in this case to do without
the book, but how many such teach
ers have we, even as products Of the
railway method Of tunneling into all
questions and reaching solutions by
airline routes? Precious few. Prof.
j. E. j. Buckley, conspicuous as a
teacher of great requirements, re-
sources and skill, may train "acute
American school children" with sat-
isfactory success by the personal en-
cyclop@dia method, but how many
Of his assistants ought to be bound
down to total abstinence from ''rote ?"
Another exception we doubt not is
penelope" But even notable ex-
ceptions do not destroy the cogency
of the rule which demands for the
good of the greatest number chart
for the navigator, compass for the
civil engineer, a bible for the preach
er and textbook for the pupil-the
youngest, most helpless and needy
of all explorers in the illimitable
realms of knowledge.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17

Brectties.-Harper's Bazaar pub
fishes picture of the lady's hat which
will be fashionable this fall. To a
man who doesn't know much about
the personal adornments of the ladies,
it looks like an inverted coal scuttle,
upon which somebody has carelessly
left bunch of bananas.
The original programme arranged
by the Frostburg Knights of Pythias
for the accommodation of their friends
along the Creek who will attend the
great picnic at this place next Tuesday,
20th inst, has been abandoned. In
stead of coming on the regular morn
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17

The Homecoming Revje10 takes hold
Of piece Of our logic and reduces it
to any absurdity, as below;
For instance, it (the JoURNAL) says, in re-
ferring TO the advantages of the monthly pay
system to the miner. ''If he be provident
man the monthly pay is better for him than
the semi-monthly." Now we would like to
know through what course of reasoning the
JOURNAL arrives at this conclusion. 1t seems
to us that if the JOURNALS statement be true
ifa monthly payment was of more benefit
than a semi-monthly, then pay every two
months would be better than pay every
month, and a pay every four or six months
better still. In fact the longer the time of
pay the greater benefit it would be to the per-
son to be paid.
1t follows, then, that our premise
and conclusion being wrong, the
ReTe'0'S must be right. Hence, if a
system of semi-monthly payments of
wages is desirable in the shape of law,
weekly pay would be doubly SO, and
daily pay law would seXtuple the
advantages of the latter. Whatever
difficulty, therefore, besets our con-
emporary in drawing the line some-
where back of the JOURNALS propo-
sitiol., there is one quite as great in
front OF its own scheme to raise an
issue that has no foundation in the
needs of single worthy man in this
region, nor in the equities of business.
The proposed semi-monthly pay law,
until set aside as unconstitutional,
will establish the precedent for a
weekly pay law; then the way is
doubly open for a daily pay law, and
in time we will have ground enough
to enact a law ordaining the payment
of'wages in advance! The Utopia of
sentimental labor will then have
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17
LOCAL AFFAIRS.

PoIftical.-At meeting Wednes-
day Of the democratic county ex-
ecutive committee, it was decided to
hold the primaries Saturday, October
l, and the county convention Tuesday,
October 4. See advertisement.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17

In,proUement.-The brick edifice
going up on the site of C. F. Nickels
burned district is making rapid
progress. The bricklayers have run
the walls up nearly to the top of the
first story and there will be no let-up,
barring unavoidable delays, until the
building is completed. 1t will be a
three-story edifce, SO by rs feet in
size. Space is left in the centre for a
roadway which Will be arched at the
top of the first story. The third story
will be made public hall, and the re =.
mainder of the building used by Mr..
Nickel as a residence and furniture
store and factory. There is COM
modious space for all uses. When
completed the business portion will
be filed with new goods, and the out
look goes to indicate that the stirring
proprietor will eclipse even his present
well won reputation for enterprising
trade.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17


Personai.-Miss Dollie Hartzell, of
Johnstown, Pa, is the guest of George
Fl. Hocking's family.
Rev. J. Watts Shoaff, of Baltimore,
is guest of DR.. A. B. Price. He is a
sufferer from that incorrigible disease,
hay fever. Between the doctors wide
ly known proficiency as physician
and Frostburg salubrity it is hoped Mr..
S. will gain relief. He is son of the
eloquent David Shoaff, q years ago
the pastor of the M. E. Church, this
place. The late Joseph Mason was
his earliest teacher, and among the
schoolmates best remembered he
names Davisson Armstrong, resident
agent of the Borden mining company,
and D. G. Percy, druggist. Mr.. S., as
announced elsewhere, will preach to-
morrow morning in the M. E. Church,
South.
Miss Dora Schmitt, Of Washington,
D. c., is guest at the st. Cloud hotel.
Miss Fannie A. Dixon, Of Lonacon-
ing, is visiting Miss Jane Scott.
Grand Lecturer, Graham Dukehart,
of the Maryland Grand Lodge, A, F.
and A. M, will during next week visit
A., F. and A. NJ. lodges in Cumber-
land and the mining region.
Arthur and Cooper Hitchins, sons
of A. E. Hitchins, of this place. left
Tuesday for Dickinson college, Carlisle,
Pa, where they have entered the
Freshman class and probably take the
modern language course. They We're
carefully prepared by Prof. J. E. j.
Buckley, principal of our Public
School, No. l.
Joseph T. Engleby, of Roanoke,
Va, reached here Wednesday after
noon on visit to old friends in this
county.
Miss Mamie Shannon left Wednes-
day to visit friends in Columbus, Ohio.
Mrs. A. Homrighaus, who has been
visiting her mother, Mrs. Hole, re-
turned to her home in Washington,
D. c., Wednesday
George C. Wade, for a long time
messenger of the Western Union tele-
graph company, has resigned and gone
into New Hope mine as driver.
George was faithful servitor of the
public, as well in the postoffice as the
telegraph department. What the
JOURNAL grieves over most is that the
mine has captured in George one of
the most skillful and accomplished en-
gineers in our press-room. He was
ever ready to answer our call for help
when his regular duties did not inter-
vene. He was in to see the JOURNAL
Thursday with an elongated bruise
over his right eye, caught from a
cross-piece that he did not see in time
to take missing aim.
civilian Slicer, of Flostburg," was
in Meyersdale, Pa, "a few days." and
while there he told the Commercial that
he sis doing fine business and getting
pretty well fixed up" We believe it.
Marriage licenses have been issued
to George Mayer and Miss Anna D.
Brode, of this place, and to Marshall j.
Livengood, of Salisbury, Pa, and Miss
Carrie Ravenscraft, of this place.
At Tuesdays session of the Orphans
Court Mrs. Mary Hartman was ap-
pointed guardian to Matte, Berney,
Joseph, Maggie, Agnes, John and
Angela Hartman.
John 7. Hart, Of Lemont Furnace,
Pa, is again among his numerous
Frostburg friends.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17

"THE Lord helps those who help
themselves" no matter how often or
how seldom they get their pay.
Now is the time to subscribe.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17

Religious. Rev. J. Watts Shoaff,
pastor of Emanuel Church, Baltimore,
will preach in the NJ. E. Church,
South, tomorrow Sunday at 1890 a.
m. Sacrament of the Lords Supper
will be administered.
Bishop Paret will visit st. Johns
Episcopal church tomorrow Sunday
and at 7.30 p. m. administer the rite of
confirmation.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17

THE seventeenth volume of the
JOURNAL will begin next week. In
the future as in the past the JOUR
NAL will resemble Brutus, in that it
is the noblest of them all.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17

IT will be a lasting pity if the issue
between the two great parties in this
State degenerates into contest be-
tween two corporations. 1t looks
that way now.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17

HAD the Knights of Labor paid as much
attention to legislative matters ten years ago,
we would have had better laws to-day. But
of this more anon.-Lonaconing Regiew.
All right; come along; that's
mine we want you to dig in.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17

The Homecoming Reuiew "cannot
see why monthly pays benefit the
proyident man more than the improv-
ident." Wonder it the ReUieaC could
see why a sorely needed rain helps
the thrifty farmer more than it does
the Frostburg water works?
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17

issued to James Crosser and Margaret
Robinson, of Homecoming, and Michael
McGreevy and Annie Footen, of Bar
ton,
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17

Judges for the primaries will be appointed
by the committeeman in each district, and
shall see that none but recognized Democrats
be allowed to vote.
BY order of the County Executive Com
mittee. JOHN CHAMBERS, Chairman.
JOHN t. CANNON, Secretary. [Sept 17-3t
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17

THE California AHa refers to "a
thing between the angels and the
flowers" That applies remarkably
we'll either to republican sheriff OF
a democratic registrar bringing his
official printing and advertising to
the JOURNAL. The Cumberland
Neacs may represent the angels, and
the Times the boquet. The JOUR-
NAL bankers after the great success
implied in the immortal injunction
to Eli.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17

THoMEs PAINE having proven that
Moses never wrote the books ascribed
to him, and Ignatius Donnelly hay
ing shown that Shakespeare's works
were written by Lord Bacon, scien-
tist connected with the JOURNAL is
now preparing treatise proving be-
yond all question that the editor of
the Cumberland Times is not the
author of the stereotyped remark
about the fool-killer.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17

The Frostburg soldier boys pre-
sent splendid appearance on parade.
And they are brave as handsome.
With a guard from this phalanx we
would brave the fool-klller in his
Office so painfully that the latter
would go right to the den and murder
his prOtege.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17

ONE year ago the JOURNAL an
nounced its editor the "Nestor of
journalists in this county," and it is
the case now as then. Comparative
ly all those in the business are young,
and among the youngest is one who
regards the JOURNAL as good meat
for the foolkiller. Why this should
be thus is stated with insufficient
directness, but enough is known to
assure all that the reason has some
connection with dislike of the true
representatives of the palladium Of
liberty-"independent newspapers"
The journalist accustomed to wearing
the collar Of party or the handouts
of faction cannot tolerate with true
fraternal equanimity one of his pro-
fession who goes around unmanacled.
And, strange to say, those most
youthful and inexperienced are the
loudest bigots that age and maturity
meet during the kaleidoscope panto-
mines of some newspaper histories.
80, the injured memory of Herod w
exclaimed Charles Lamb on one oc-
casion.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17

The attention of the foolkiller has
been directed toward the JOURNAL
and the Homecoming Remev, but as
there would seem to be plenty Of
business at home he should follow
the illustrious example of charity by
contining his industry to the province
of Cumberland. Moreover, "let not
ambition mock his useful toll"
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17

The political mischief-maker is still alive,
and is doing business at the same old stand,
viz in the offices of the so-called independent
Frostburg JOURNAL and Lonaconing Revieso.
The foolkiller has not begun his operations
in their vicinity yet but his services will be
shortly needed.-Cumberland Times.
Before the Times starts him this
way better "venture to mildly suggest
that prudence is the better part of
valor." 1t is sometimes the rational
desperate who gets his liver disjoint-
ed and his lights put out.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17

come, and the very last development
in the evolution of chimerical legisla-
tion will have been consummated in
labor's slaughter of labor's resources.
There is wide field in perspective
here, but time and space fail us now.
"But of this more anon"
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17

Registration.--In No. IL William G..
Boughton, officer, reports 81 names
added to the list during the five days
of the September sitting, and 39 strick-
en- of-a loss Of 7. Of the latter num-
ber IA were transferred, Is removed,
and dead.
John w. Arnold, officer in No. u,
returns an addition of Al, and loss
Of 10 transferred, and 3 dead-total
13; net gain of %.
Theatricat.-Miss Clara Louise Kel-
logg has an operate record of un-
paralleled brilliancy having been en-
gagged as leading star at the Grand
Opera Houses in London, Paris,
Vienna, Berlin and st. Petersburg.
Miss Kellogg's repertoire includes some
forty operas, many of which she
created the principal part, while others
were specially written for her. If the
guarantee fund, now open to sub
scription at Annan's bookstore, grows
large enough she will be here in IA few
weeks. Better hurry.
County Ne'cs.-Salem Moore, q
former schoolteacher, who lived alone
in the section of Barton known as
"Dogtown," was found dead in his
house Friday evening. He had not
been seen on the streets for nearly two
weeks, and though the body was de-
composed it was thought traces of
bruises were discernible, and foul play
was fol time suspected. Further in
vestigation Saturday, however, show
ed that there were no evidences of foul
play. DR.. Brotemarkle, who examin-
ed the body, said that death resulted
from natural causes. There was no
inquest.
Marriage licenses have been recently
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17
New 6dvertisementS.
Employment.

STEADY work, good cash wages, low rents,
- cheap living-for strong, able-bodied men
from 20 to 40 years Of age. Married men pre-
ferred. Enquire at office of
UNION MINING COMPANY,
Sept lift Mount Savage, Md.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-17
GOMSUNlE. IS.
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